Latest news with #SPSA
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Sask. province-wide wildfire state of emergency expires
A province-wide wildfire state of emergency in Saskatchewan has ended. The order was issued by Premier Scott Moe on May 27 when several out-of-control wildfires threatened numerous communities, which led to around 15,000 people being forced to evacuate at its peak. As of Friday, evacuations had ended for all but two communities. Recent rainfall and cooler temperatures allowed firefighters to more aggressively attack fires and reduce threats to the majority of communities close to wildfires in recent weeks. According to the Saskatchewan Public safety Agency (SPSA), daily wildfire updates will also end. Updates will be provided when necessary, moving forward. Officials say people can stay up to date by using the SPSA's online dashboards. On Friday afternoon, the SPSA's website said there are 26 active wildfires across the province with 10 that are not contained. To date, there have been 274 wildfires in Saskatchewan, well above the five year average of 171. As of last Friday (June 20) the province had confirmed that 1,931 values had been lost to the fires, including 299 houses and 60 cabins. The SPSA's last wildfire update came on June 23, when officials indicated loss totals had not risen since June 20. -With files from The Canadian Press and Caitlin Brezinski
CTV News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Creighton residents return after community devastated by wildfire
WATCH: Wildfire evacuation orders have been lifted for residents of Creighton and Denare Beach. What can those returning home expect to see? WATCH: Wildfire evacuation orders have been lifted for residents of Creighton and Denare Beach. What can those returning home expect to see? It's been a difficult month for residents forced to evacuate the town of Creighton due to wildfire. As of Sunday, they were finally cleared to start returning home. 'Even though we're safe, there is a tremendous amount of work that has got be done to bring us back to somewhat normality,' Creighton mayor Bruce Fiddler told CTV. 'There was growing impatience on people wanting to get back home and see how their homes are,' he said. By Monday afternoon, several hundred people had returned to the community, while others plan to travel home over the next few days. Residents in need of medical care are asked not to return to the community until essential medical services are back in operation. Fiddler says infrastructure, including power and cell service, is operational and gasoline is also available. The town is telling those returning to bring groceries and any necessary medications. 'We are hoping people phone us or stop by to let us know,' said Fiddler. 'But, you know, they have more important things to do. They're checking on their home, checking on their property, checking on family.' The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) will be in Creighton June 24 to 26 distributing support cheques. 'Those are the $500 checks and any outstanding food security support checks,' said Steve Roberts from the SPSA. 'So, there's a level of support they will be able to obtain once they return, which most of them have, and they can actually talk directly to our staff who were there in Creighton.' The evacuation order for residents of Denare Beach was also lifted. Highway 167 is only open to residents of Denare Beach and those who live along the highway. The roadblock will be removed June 25. Across the border in Flin Flon, the evacuation order is still in effect until Wednesday. The town of Creighton hopes staggering the removal of the evacuation orders will help manage traffic on the return home.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Sask. to provide update on wildfire situation
Highway 106 is closed as wildfires burn near Smeaton, Sask. on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards Officials with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) are providing an update on the province's wildfire situation Monday afternoon. As of Monday morning, there were 19 wildfires active in Saskatchewan with five not contained, according to the SPSA's website. So far this year, there have been 267 wildfires in the province, well above the five-year average to date of 162. In an update on Friday, SPSA officials said repatriation plans were underway and more people were expected to return home in the coming days. Steve Roberts, vice president of operations with the SPSA, said repatriation of Whelan Bay was expected on Friday and Saturday, with evacuees from Creighton and Denare Beach expected to start returning home on Sunday. As of Friday, the SPSA said 1,931 values have been lost in the wildfires, including 299 houses and 60 cabins. During Friday's update, Roberts said the Shoe Fire, which has been the biggest wildfire in the province so far this year, has remained the same size at 553,384 hectares and hasn't grown. -More details to come -With files from Hayatullah Amanat
CTV News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Sask. government says as many as 30 incidents under investigation for arson related to wildfires
Sask. Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod says the opposition is playing politics and spreading misinformation when it comes to use of new planes in the firefight Sask. Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod says the opposition is playing politics and spreading misinformation when it comes to use of new planes in the firefight Sask. Public Safety Minister on why a new plane was grounded during fire fight The Government of Saskatchewan says that as many as 30 incidents are being investigated regarding intentional arson related to wildfires in the province this year. Tim McLeod said that investigations remain ongoing and he expects police to announce more charges. So far, two arson charges have been laid by RCMP regarding the Ditch02 fire near Weyakwin which forced multiple evacuations. 'I know that there are many others that are being investigated, last I heard in the neighbourhood of 30 individuals are suspected of and being investigated for intentional arson and that is just an absolute shame when you think about the devastation that these fires cause,' McLeod said during an interview with CTV Morning Live Saskatchewan on Wednesday. While McLeod stated that '30 individuals' are suspected of arson in connection to wildfires in the province, SPSA President Marlo Pritchard clarified that '30 incidents' are under investigation. 'First of all, it's not 30 people. There's 30 incidents that are being investigated as intentional starts or arson investigations,' he explained, during Wednesday's wildfire update. 'There have been charges laid in at least two of those incidents by the RCMP, and I'm not aware of any other charges as of this time.' According to McLeod, it's the province's full belief that police investigations will lead to full prosecutions for people found to be responsible for intentionally starting wildfires. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has confirmed that 350 values have been lost in wildfires to date, with the number expected to exceed 500 following more investigations that includes assessing the community of Denare Beach later this week. Last week the SPSA said that many of the wildfires in Saskatchewan this year were set accidentally by humans, but that they believed at least 30 were intentionally set. So far in 2025 the province has seen 261 wildfires, well above the five-year average of 157. Currently there are 17 active wildfires, three are considered not contained. However, recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have allowed crews to take a more offensive approach to fighting wildfires and fire growth has been minimal for the better part of two weeks. All but five evacuations have ended in the province. According to the SPSA, Creighton, Denare Beach, East Trout Lake, Whelan Bay and priority individuals in Cumberland House remain evacuated. A provincial fire ban was also lifted this week as well as a ban on ATV and UTV vehicles. The province will provide an update regarding the current wildfire situation at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon.
Hamilton Spectator
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Outstanding Citizenship Award winner at Sask Polytechnic honoured to be chosen
Graduates at the Prince Albert Campus of Saskatchewan Polytechnic crossed the stage at the Art Hauser Centre on Thursday. The convocation ceremony took place in two parts with a morning and afternoon session. Harishgowtham (Harish) Shanmugam, a graduate of the Business diploma program, received the Outstanding Citizenship Award. Shanmugam was vice president of the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Students Association in Prince Albert and positively influenced campus life through initiatives like the Community Pantry Project which helped students facing food insecurity by providing accessible food options on campus. Shanmugam was humbled to be recognized with the award. 'I'm really honoured to get the award and it's very exciting for me,' Shanmugam said. 'I'm truly grateful to for the experience I have had at Sask Polytech. 'I would say it's more than just a student role, and it's a really great experience for me. Receiving (the) Outstanding Student Citizenship Award is a huge honour. I hope this encourages other people coming up to make initiatives for the future for our community.' Shanmugam explained that he started the Community Pantry initiative because he saw fellow students struggling with food insecurity. 'I want every student to have food whenever needed,' he said. 'I don't want anyone to attend the classes with an empty stomach or it's hard to concentrate. This Community Fridge helps the students to get a meal and it helps them to avoid hunger. It's always easy to concentrate when you're feeling good.' Shanmugam said he became involved in student government in India. He continued that trend upon moving to Canada. He joined the SPSA as a campus representative in his first year and was elected vice president at the end of that term to serve in his second year. 'When I came to Canada, I found SPSA (Saskatchewan Polytechnic Students Association) would be one of my go to places,' he said. 'If you want to make a change, if you want to advocate for change, or if you want to advocate for students needs, SPSA would be the right place.' In addition to advocacy work, Shanmugam created an engaging campus environment by organizing and participating in student events. Shanmugan is originally from the Namakal District in Tamil Nadu in India 'I have completed my two years of course in Canada, right now I have applied for my work permit and I'm just waiting for the work permit to get approved,' he said. He thanked the entire team at the campus for the experience. 'I would say thank you for Sask. Polytech as well,' he said. 'I'm truly grateful for the experience I have had at Sask. Polytech and the SPSA and I hope my story encourages others to step up and make most of their time as students. The time goes really quick.' Dr. Has Malik, Provost and Vice President, Academic gave the speech before Shanmugam received the award from Larry Rosia the President and CEO of Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Prince Albert Carlton MLA Kevin Kasun brought greetings from the province. Sask Polytechnic Board Chair Mitch Holash brought greetings from the board and brought greetings from the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Students' Association. Rosia also gave the President's Address. Micah Daniels from Sturgeon Lake played an honour song and Elder Violet Naytowhow said the prayer to open the ceremony before Kim Villeneauve sang 'O Canada'. During the morning and afternoon session philanthropist and entrepreneur Jim Pattison received the 2025 Honorary Degree in Applied Studies, which will be awarded by Rosia on June 24 in Vancouver. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
